Ottawa’s own Graeme Clarke off to dream start with Belleville Senators

Clarke made his Belleville debut on March 7, a little more than 24 hours after the trade deadline, and following a whirlwind, 17-hour travel day. At home to the Utica Comets, he set up Arthur Kaliyev for the 3-1 goal, won a face-off to get the primary assist on Olle Lycksell’s 4-1 goal, tipped a Carter Yakemchuk point shot to make it 5-1, and scored on his own rebound for the 7-3 final.

Two goals, two assists, four shots and a plus-4 rating.

Is that any good?

Now, he’s followed up that performance with two more multi-point games, totalling nine points (four goals, five assists), 14 shots and a plus-5 rating in three contests with Belleville.

“I’m a better skater now than I was (in junior),” Clarke said. “I feel like I can use my legs to create separation more now, beat guys in different ways. Before, it felt like I was more of a shooter and a scorer. I think I still am now, but I think I can do a lot more things in the defensive zone, neutral zone, just coming up and down the ice a little bit quicker. I kind of rounded out my game in pro.”

Clarke has welcomed this abrupt change of scenery with open arms.

You can click here to read the full article in the Ottawa Citizen.